Education

The Shelby County Board of Education will recognize students that earned Governor’s Scholar distinction with a dinner and reception prior to the board meeting on Thursday. The board will honor the scholars during the meeting at 7 p.m., as well. Both the ceremony and dinner will be held at the Blair Center, 728 Ginkgo Drive.

The lazy days of summer are drawing to a close as we gear up for back to school season, which begins Wednesday. Teachers are eagerly decorating classrooms while kids are picking out new backpacks in anticipation of a new year.

And while we might physically be ready for the 2016-17 school year with every item checked off the school supply list and a shiny new wardrobe in the closet, don’t underestimate the value of mental preparation, either.

Students from across the district have joined forces this summer to help create a first of its kind musical performance.

“We just decided to do something this summer that combined everybody from the school district,” said Kevan Brown, a teacher at Collins High School who is directing the collaborative performance of Disney’s High School Musical. “We have kids from Shelby County High School, we have kids from both middle schools.”

On Thursday, the Shelby County Board of Education heard a report from Susan Dugle, the district’s chief academic officer, on the ACT results for the grade 11 students (incoming seniors) taken in 2015-16.

On Thursday the Shelby County Board of Education will hear an update from Clear Creek Principal Kim Willhoite on Innovation at Clear Creek – The Summit. District Public Relations Coordinator Ryan Allan said The Summit is Clear Creek’s 3PT (Pace, Place, Path and Time) program.

“It’s a personalized learning concept we’re seeing across the county,” Allan said, explaining that Clear Creek is one school in the district that will be piloting a 3PT program in the district.

An unusual mix of Stormtroopers and teachers from across the state invaded the Blair Center at Southside Elementary School for a Star Wars themed EdCamp Kentucky.

What organizers coined an “unconference,” EdCamp is a nationwide event in which attendees are encouraged to attend and bring ideas for sessions they would like to facilitate. There is no official format because sessions are created as attendees arrive.

Amidst the quiet room of education professionals, 13-year-old Spencer Cerlan stood up and approached the podium with confidence. Though he was barely tall enough to reach the microphone, his words resonated throughout the room. With a big smile, Cerlan eagerly shared his Eagle Scout project, an undertaking he’s been looking forward to for four years.

Cerlan shared with the Shelby County Board of Education members Thursday his plans to develop an outdoor classroom for his former teacher, Parthanna Willis at Clear Creek Elementary School.

Shelby County Public Schools announced this week its participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, a provision from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that allows schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.

Cindy Murphy, school nutrition food service coordinator, said the provision is a big step toward battling adolescent hunger in the county. Shelby County will participate at the elementary and preschool levels this up coming school year.